Overview & Reviews

Acura is an upscale automaker known for offering cars with impressive levels of luxury, features and performance. It's come a long way in a short time, however, as the history of Acura is relatively brief. Parent company Honda introduced the Acura brand to the U.S. market in 1986 in an effort to create a separate luxury division for its products. At first, it was just a two-car show: the Legend sedan, which was the first true Japanese luxury car sold in America, and the Integra sport coupe and sedan.

Though essentially a marketing creation for the North American market, the Acura brand was immediately successful. Consumers liked the features, performance and upscale image of Acura cars, along with the fact that Acuras were backed by Honda's reputation for reliability and low ownership costs. In 1991, Acura introduced its crown jewel: the all-aluminum NSX sports car, which offered performance close to that of other exotic cars while undercutting them in price.

As Acura's product line grew in the 1990s, however, the company struggled a bit. Some of its products were duds, and it risked alienating loyal customers when it replaced the Legend and Integra names with alphanumeric designations. The company jumped on the hot luxury SUV bandwagon in the mid-'90s with the SLX. Unfortunately, the SLX was just a rebadged version of an Isuzu SUV, and its quality did not match customers' expectations.

For the new millennium, Acura revamped its product range. An all-new SUV called the MDX debuted, sporting numerous family-friendly features, including a third-row seat. The Integra was replaced with the RSX sport coupe, and an all-new entry-level sport sedan called the TSX was introduced after that. A complete redesign of its most popular model, the midsize TL sedan, followed, as did a redesign of its flagship RL luxury sedan.

By mid-decade the NSX was gone, but Acura filled out its model lineup with the street-performance-oriented RDX compact crossover, the TSX wagon and the ZDX, a fastback-styled crossover that placed unique styling over practicality. Today Acura is still trying to find its ideal niche but there's no denying the quality of Acura's vehicles, nor their appealing mix of performance, technology and value.

User Reviews:

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  Enjoying my new TLX - 2015 Acura TLX
  By brucej97223 - September 13 - 11:17 pm

  I traded in my 2008 528i for a 2015 TLX v6 with the tech package, after looking at BMWs and MB. I am really enjoying the TLX. It drives as well as the new (post 2012) 5 series - which are less fun than my old 2008 - and it holds my family and my 61 son better than the new C-class (which is an amazing car, just too small). However, when you compare the MSRP of the TLX against similarly equipped German cars, you easily save $20K or more. Yes, the TLX isnt perfect - crisper handling would be nice, but overall the value for money factor on this car is amazing - well send the kid to college for a year on what we saved, and have fun driving him there to boot.

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  2005, but still very relevant! - 2005 Acura TSX
  By sternerd - September 13 - 7:57 am

  Needed to upgrade my 1999 Accord EX-V6. Despite numerous issues with it, I still like Hondas reliability overall and have always liked Acuras. Got an incredible deal on a used TSX from an owner who babied it since he bought it in 2004 only 55k miles. It still looks and runs like its brand new. Love how it handles, love the interior. Has some pep, but I find it relatively quiet. Very sleek and stylish I think looks better than a lot of cars that are new. As other reviewers have mentioned, Ive had a lot of compliments. For a 10 year old car, its pretty impressive. Downside is the premium gas. Thankfully, not filling up often so cost offsets. 24/32 MPG.

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  Fun little car - 2014 Acura ILX
  By pwdrday - September 11 - 7:44 am

  When I started looking at this car, I found it to be mediocre on paper. Acceleration, handling, mpg, etc all seemed acceptable, but it didnt stand out. However, I ended up taking a test drive because manual transmission cars have become hard to find, and they were giving big discounts. After a test drive though, I realized that this car was something special, and the more I drive it the more I like it. Im happy to say that this car has a much higher fun factor than I originally expected. The clutch and transmission are just a pure joy to use. Its definitely the nicest manual transmission Ive ever had, including multiple VWs, a Saab, and multiple Subarus. The engine also loves to rev and has a wonderful sound for a 4 cyl. Its no track monster, but for real road driving, I cant think of a car that was more fun (even more than my WRX) to drive around without doing illegal speeds. Lastly, I find that the EPA gas mileage is easily exceeded without trying. If I had to knock it on anything, its the road noise. For a premium badge, I would have expected to be more quiet. However, if you are OK with the normal noise levels found in Hondas, this is a great choice for a little sporty car!

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  A great SUV - 2004 Acura MDX
  By lgq2001 - September 10 - 5:11 pm

  Got it at 160k. It ran and drove very well. Now it has 190k. No any problems and still runs like new. I really like it.

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  Great value for your money - 2012 Acura TL
  By edross22 - September 10 - 3:56 pm

  I bought the 2012 TL with 14,000 miles on it. And it has really been fun to drive. Like other people mentioned i paid $32,300 plus tax for this car. I was looking for the new accord V6 Touring full loaded and after seating on the car and feeling how cheap the interior was. Everything is plastic, leather doesnt feel like real leather. I decided to take a look of the TL and decided rather to have a used TL than a brand new Honda Accord. The TL is more luxury, nicer interior and way more powerful. I will definitely recommend it this car. Average mile per gallon right now in mix driving 23 miles/gallon..

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  Test drove the TLX - 2015 Acura TLX
  By hcsolo1 - September 10 - 3:16 pm

  In the market for a new car & recently test drove the TLX. I came away very impressed with the cars quality, comfort, driving dynamics and most importantly value. Top of the line TLX sh-awd with Advance Package is $44,595. I test drove the Mercedes C300 & C400, Bmw 328i & 335i, Audi A4 2.0T & S4. all great cars but in the end I chose the TLX because its packed with technology, great reputation for reliability and costs $5,000 to $15,000 cheaper then any of its competition when fully equipped with the same feature content. A no brainier for me!

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  I really enjoy it - 2004 Acura MDX
  By lgq2001 - September 9 - 11:02 am

  Get it from a small dealer with 165k mile on it. It runs and drives always great with such a high mile. Now, it has about 190k, no any problems. really like it. The best SUV on the road.

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  Amazing car! - 2011 Acura TL
  By artanmulla - September 8 - 10:44 am

  I bought a 2011 acura tl tech package about 6 months ago & i love this car. It is very fun to drive & very comfortable. I have not had a single problem with it currently at 33k miles & all the features it comes with are amazing. Such as heated seats navi rear view camera bluetooth audio. I would recommend this car to anyone it is a sport/luxury car

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  Acura nailed it with the TLX - 2015 Acura TLX
  By jmacew - September 3 - 10:17 pm

  Two weeks ago today, I traded in my 2006 Acura TSX. I loved my TSX, but after 18 years I figured it was time for an upgrade. So earlier this year, I started my research for my next car. After researching several options including BMW 3 series, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS 350, and Acura TL. I read the news that Acura was unveiling the TLX. So I decided to postpone my purchase until late summer. Late summer arrived and I have my new car the Acura TLX. I am glad that I waited. It has only been two weeks, however it has already exceeded my expectations in an automobile. The ride is smooth and well balanced and performance of the V6 is amazing. I was not expecting 0-60 in 6 seconds.

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  One of the best - 2002 Acura TL
  By francis15 - August 31 - 9:38 pm

  My wife bought this one back in 02 TL type S new and its been a very reliable car. Great power, fun to drive. Runs like the day we bought it. Not pleased with the Xenon lights. Acura wanted $1,200.00 to replace the ballast I got a new OEM one aftermarket for $150, then $150 to install. The 2nd i did myself. The xenon OEM bulbs are about $95 ea at any auto parts place. You can get aftermarket xenon bulbs to work for about $16 for 2 but supposedly can affect ballast. mine seem to work fine but i am now selling. My wife wants an 2015 MDX. I have to say I am impressed with the 02 TL overall. Acura will gouge the daylights out of you but it is a high performance car.